ประเพณีสงกรานต์ ฉบับการ์ตูน

The reason is that, during that time,
most people return to their families,
and it is thus a time of love and warmth

to meet face-to-face and
do family activities together.

9

ประเพณี

Songkran goddesses aren’t real but are a belief that appears in
"The Legend of Songkran Goddesses" that King Rama 3 had it engraved on a
stone plate installed in Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimon Mangkhalaram. It tells the story

of the origin of such tradition, which is a ploy to let the ancients and the
illiterate know that the Maha Songkran Day is the day when the sun rises to Aries.

In those days, it was considered
a new year's day. According to the

solar system on any given day,
it is assumed with the seven Songkran

goddesses compared to each day
of the week. In this regard,
there is a story as follows.

10

There was a rich man without children, so he was rudely insulted
by a gangster next door who had two sons in the way that even

if he was rich, he had no sons and his wealth could not be
wasted against him who had children. The rich man listened
and became ashamed and went to worship the sun and moon.

Three years later, he still had no children.
One day, which was a Songkran public holiday,
the rich man went to pray for a child from Phra Sai god.

Phra Sai god took pity and went to ask
Indra god. He therefore sent the

Thammaban Devabutra to be born as a son of a
rich man, named Thammaban Kumarn, who, when growing up,

knew the language of birds and completed the
Tripate scripture study when he was only
seven years old.

11

Thammaban Kumarn later became a teacher to tell various auspicious things to humans.
At that time Thao Kabil Brahma, who had been responsible for showing all auspiciousness
to humans before, had a dissatisfaction and thus challenged Thammaban Kumarn to answer

three riddles with the condition that if the Thammaban Kumarn was unable to answer,
he must be beheaded to worship Thao Kabil Brahma, but if he could answer,

Thao Kabil Brahma would cut off his head to worship Thammaban Kumarn instead.

The riddles are as follows.
1. Riddle 1: Where is Rasi

in the morning?
2. Riddle 2: Where is Rasi at noon?
3. Riddle 3: Where is Rasi at night?
(Rasi means fullness and pride.)

Thammaban Kumarn procrastinated seven days.
It appeared that the time passed to the sixth day and he
still couldn't think of an answer, so he went and lied under
a palm tree. Accidentally, he then heard an eagle couple talking
that the next day they would eat the corpses of Thammaban

Kumarn because he couldn't answer the riddles.

At the same time, the male bird gave
the following answer:

1. In the morning, Rasi is on the face, so humans
wash their faces with water.

2. At noon, Rasi is on the chest, so humans
sprinkle incenses on their chests.

3. At dusk, Rasi is at the feet, so humans wash
their feet with water.

12

Thammaban Kumarn heard that and was able to answer the riddles.
Therefore, Thao Kabil Brahma had to cut off his head to worship
Thammaban Kumarn, but before beheading Thao Kabil Brahma
called his seven daughters who were Bat Borijarika
(meaning mistresses at the feet or concubines) of Indra god to take
his order that if his head was set in the land, fires would burn all
over the world; if it was left in the air, it wouldn’t rain; if it was thrown
into the ocean, the water would dry up.Therefore, he ordered the seven
daughters to take a tray with pedestal to bear the cut head and to

parade around Phra Sumen Mountain.

Then the cut head was
brought to be enshrined at a pavilion in the
Khanthuli Cave, Krailas Mountain. When 365 days, which
the world assumed to be a year, cycled to the
Maha Songkran Day, the goddess would ride various
vehicles and take turns inviting his father's head
out to the parade. These seven goddesses
would appear regularly on the Maha Songkran Day,
so they were named "Songkran goddesses".

Thao Kabil Brahma, which is also known
as Thao Maha Songkran, refers implicitly to the

sun, because Kabil means red color.

13

From the legend above, there are 7 Songkran
goddesses in total who fall on each day
of the week.
Whoever the goddess is depends
on which day of the Maha Songkran Day
in that year it falls on. In this regard,
they don’t ride a vehicle according to the
year of the zodiac. Each of them has
different names, foods,
weapons, and vehicle animals as follows:

Sunday: Monday: Tuesday:
Tungsa goddess, tucking Koraka goddess, Raksot goddess,
a pomegranate flower, tucking a Pip flower tucking a holy lotus,
(cork tree flower), with an ornament of Mora
with an ornament of with an ornament of Mukda
Padmaraj or Padmaraj (pearl), oil as food, right hand (chalcedony),
(red gemstone), figs as holding a sword, left hand blood as food, right hand
food, right hand holding holding a cane,
a chakra, left hand holding and a tiger as a vehicle holding a trident,
a conch, and a garuda left hand holding a bow,
and a pig as a vehicle
as a vehicle

14

Wednesday: Thursday: Kirinee goddess, Friday: Kimita goddess,
Monta goddess, tucking tucking a Montha flower tucking a Jongkolnee

a Champa flower, (Magnolia), flower (red lotus),
with an ornament of Paitoon with an ornament of with an ornament of topaz,
emerald, nuts and sesame bananas as food, right hand
(chrysoberyl), dairy seeds as food, right hand holding a sword, left hand
products as food, holding an elephant hook,
right hand holding a stylus, left hand holding a gun, and holding an Indian lute,
left hand holding a staff, an elephant as a vehicle and a buffalo as a vehicle
and a donkey as a vehicle

Saturday: Mahotorn goddess,
tucking a Samhao flower
(water hyacinth flower),

with an ornament of blue sapphire,
gazelles as food,

right hand holding a discus,
left hand holding a trident,

and a peacock as
a vehicle

(end of the legend)

15

Importance Songkran tradition in Thailand is an important time for people
in the family or community to perform various activities together.
Thai people consider Songkran tradition to be “Thai new year”.

Therefore, Songkran tradition is regarded as an important transitional period.

It isn’t only the transition from the old era or Thai minor era
to the new era, but it is also the time after the harvesting season

to prepare for the planting season. People therefore refrain
from agricultural activities and gather to celebrate the event after

harvesting the produce.

Another importance is that Songkran tradition
is a time of respect for both seniors in the family such
as grandparents, parents, and elders in the community,
especially monks. The way of showing respect is to bathe

or pour scented water on such respectful people
as well as Buddha images and deities that are
worshiped for auspiciousness during the new era. Also,
this time that families have engaged in various activities
together make Songkran tradition a "Family Day" and "

Elderly Day" along with New Year's Day.

16

For important events, Songkran tradition often includes ceremonies
or activities to enhance the prosperity and to create joy and relaxation
from exhaustion all year round, as well as to help to relax the heat

in the summer. People can gather for family activities
and public activities.

Important activities in
Songkran tradition that Thai people
like to practice and pass on can be

summarized as follows.

The day before Songkran Day is usually a preparation for the prosperity of the
beginning of life on the new year's Day because the preparation for various matters,

such as cleaning, preparing foods for merit-making, etc., will keep you feeling
refreshed and hopeful, and waiting with happiness. In addition, cleaning the house

is like practicing mental cleansing at the same time.

When Songkran Day comes, it is be a time
for everyone to smile with refreshed mind.

The activities that should be performed
are as follows.

17

Bird and fish freeing Alms giving and
dharma practicing
Sand formation

activity

Devotion of merit
to Ancestors’ ashes

Water pouring ceremony
for Buddha images
18

Water pouring ceremony
for the elderly for their
blessings

Water splashing

In addition to the activities mentioned above, some places also organize other
cultural activities such as Khao Mae Sri activity, Khao Phi Linglom activity, etc.,
as well as plays such as Saba, Mon Son Pha, Ngu Kin Hang, Luk Chuang,

Pleng Phitsathan (Athithan), and others.

19

To maintain Songkran tradition’s
importance and value,

all sectors of society should emphasize
Do’s and Don’ts that may damage the

beauty of the tradition as follows.
The focus of the tradition isn’t only on the
Songkran beauty pageant but also on the participation
of the new generation of children who enter

the contest in public service activities
in order to promote a volunteer spirit.

20

Drinking alcohol or having intoxicants in temples or in public places
is prohibited because it isn’t only inappropriate, but most people also tend

to get drunk or tease each other and they get into quarrels and show
inappropriate behavior. Importantly, people often get drunk and drive

recklessly. This results in an unintentional tragedy or accident,
which is the cause of trouble for both themselves
and others.
21

Splashing water with violence, aggression, and fury and use of dangerous equipment are forbidden
because many people nowadays enjoy the tradition carelessly and inappropriately,

causing distress, annoyance to others, and tragic accidents. Also, use of inappropriate materials
such as water mixed with tapioca flour, paint, etc., doesn’t only cause a mess that is difficult

to clean, but it may also cause illnesses later. Therefore, these inappropriate plays should
be avoided and water shouldn’t be splashed at other people who do not play together or who are
traveling on business and any illegal acts against foreigners shouldn’t be committed. which may

cause misunderstanding of the beautiful cultural tradition of Thailand.

In conclusion, even though various
traditions may be changed over time,
in order to preserve the tradition of "Songkran"
as a beautiful and proud tradition of ours,
it is a duty of all sectors of society must work
together to maintain what is good and to eliminate
all wrong and inappropriate practices.

22

Nowadays, although Songkran tradition practices
in many localities have various forms,
every region still has the same essence

of Songkran tradition. This results in Thai Songkran tradition’s
unity among diversity. However, the arrangement

of Songkran festivalsall over the country has different
details according to each culture and

local identity, and there are also different
names for different practices and days
during Songkran tradition according to each culture.
As such, Songkran tradition acts as the core that links

Songkran tradition practices
throughout the country to be similar.

The details are as follows.

23

In northern region or Lanna, they call April 13th
“Sangkranlong Day” (pronounced as Sangkhanlong)
which means the day that a year has passed or the day that a
human body has gone old for one more year. In this day, in the

morning there will be gunfire or firecrackers
to drive away wickedness. Then, there will be a cleaning activity

for houses and bodies as well as
new clothes dress-ups to welcome the new year.

April 14th is called “Nao Day” or “Da Day”

which is the day of preparations such as offerings to the monks,
foods for monks, relatives and neighbors. In some areas, this day
is called “rotten day” as it’s believed that people are forbidden to
speak rude words in this day, or else their mouths will become
rotten and they won’t prosper in their lives.

April 15th is called “Phayawan Day” or “Thaloengsok Day”

which is marked as the beginning of the new year. On this day,
people make merits, give offerings to the monks, listen to Dharma
(Buddha’s teaching), devote merits to the deceased ancestors,
pour some water onto Buddha images and monks (Songnam Phra
tradition), support the Bodhi tree with sticks, and pour some water
onto elders’ hands (Rodnam Damhua tradition) for blessings.

The day after the Phayawan Day is “Pakpi Day”.
There is a series of rituals such as bad luck

eliminating ceremony, life prolonging ceremony, merit makimng
for the four gods (referring to worshipping the godss
from each direction), and household longevity
candle lighting.

Furthermore, in many localities there are additional plays, recreations,
performances, or local festive events such as Klongmongsoeng
drum competition, local sports, etc.

24

In Isan region or Northeastern region,
the first day falls on April 13th.

Main activities are similar to those in the
northern region. One is pouring water onto
Buddha images, which lasts for only one day. Mostly,
in each province, they organise a parade of
Buddha images and other artistic object of
each creativity. When the parade is finished,

the water pouring ceremony begins
for Buddha images and monks respectively.
After that, there is merit making ceremony
for ancestral ashes, which is called “Sakkaanitcha”,
is organised. During Songkran tradition Northeastern

people who live and work elsewhere
return to their homelands for gatherings
and for making merits for their ancestors.

Moreover, there are some activities such
as animal freeing,

bird and fish freeing, and others including
water pouring ceremony for the elderly

for their blessings, performances,
and local plays, based on local traditional
practices. Teenagers and children splash

water with joy. This is to bond
their relationships.

25

In Southern region, they called
“Wan Songkran” (Songkran day)
as “Prapheni Wanwang” (Wanwang tradition)
. It is considered to be the day to empty your body and mind
from normal working days in the traditional period of
three days, which are April 13th, 14th, and 15th of every year
April 13th is called “Wan Chaomueangkao”
(Ancient governor day) or “Wan Songchaomueangkhao”

(Ancient governor farewell day)
based on the belief that city guardian angels gather in heaven

this day. It is also the day of house and tool
cleaning and bad luck eliminating ceremony which is called

“Loi Khro” or “Loi Phae” to let bad luck flow
with the ancient governor. Pouring water onto
Buddha images is usually performed this day.

April 14th is called
“Wan wang” (Vacant day)
which means the day without city guardian angels.
Therefore, the people stop working, make merit
at the temple, and perform water pouring
ceremony to their elders for blessings.

April 15th is called “Wan Rapchaomueangmai” (New governor welcoming day).
This is the day to welcome the new assigned city guardian angel to replace

the old one. On this day, people get dressed with new cloths and
ornaments and perform food offering for merit making at temples.
Besides, southern people also have similar activities to those in other regions, such as bird

and fish freeing, sand pagoda formation, and water splashing. In the past, there were
singer troupes to sing along the way to communities and villages. The songs were about the legend

of Songkran tradition or it might be other songs upon the host’s request.

26

In Central region, Songkran tradition has similar main activities
to those in other regions, such as house and tool cleaning before
Songkran day. In “Wan Sukdip” a day before Songkran day),

people prepare foods and desserts for alms giving
or offering to monks at temples. The foods and desserts
consist of Khao Chae (rice soaked in iced water served
with side dishes), Khaoniao Daeng (red sticky rice), Kalamae

(Thai caramel), Lotchong (rice noodles with
sweetened coconut milk), etc.

Moreover, there are other activities such as merit making for ancestral spirits,
water pouring ceremony for Buddha images and monks,

water pouring ceremony for elders for blessings, local plays, Songkran tradition fair, parades,
sand donation for temples, sand pagoda formation, etc.

27

- Providing hand washing points at the event venue, especially in areas where
equipment or items, such as flowers, incense sticks, candles, bowls of water,
monks, etc., are shared

- For the inheritance of Songkran tradition by pouring water onto Buddha images:
preparing your own equipment and supplies; not using the water that has been
used or splashing it

- For pouring water onto monks or watering the elders; strictly following the
measures of the Ministry of Public Health; not splashing water/playing with
water, not playing with powder; not drinking alcoholic beverages in the event area

- Wearing a mask or cloth mask at all times
- Requiring to get vaccinated according to the specified criteria, with an emphasis on booster

vaccinations for the 608 group and people with underlying medical conditions
- Abstaining from theatrical performances with scenes that

require close contact and intimacy, such as scenes of love,
hugs, kisses, loud talks and shouts; avoid close contact
with the audience as well as keeping a distance of at
least 2 meters between the stage and the audience and
1 meter between musicians and performers on stage
- Assessing your own risk with Thai Save Thai or other
applications; for screening at high risk, having ATK test with a Negative result (Negative)
before participating in the activity; after Songkran tradition, noticing symptoms for 7 days
and considering ATK testing; performing the following in case of risk:
- Strictly following the Universal Prevention measure and DMHTA measure

28

Permitted activities Songkran festival
celebration activities
Participation in religious
activities on Songkran Day - Cultural performances, theatrical performances,
local customs, parades, and music performances
- Alms giving at temples, offering with crowds in compliance with the easing measures
flowers, incense and candles, and of the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration
listening to sermons (CCSA)

- Sand donation for temples - Open restaurants : Following the
- Water pouring for Buddha images measure CFS (Covid Free Setting) strictly
- Water pouring for monks
- Water pouring for elders for blessings

Family activities Water pouring for elders in families for blessings
Avoiding eating together for long periods of time

29

Prohibited Songkran tradition activities are organized
activities in compliance with with Ministry of Culture’s priorities

on Thai cultural inheritance as follows:

- No powder playing - Provinces are promoted to use the space for religious
- No water splashing and cultural events in Songkran tradition to inherit
- No foam party the tradition in a good and appropriate manner.
- No selling and drinking of
- People are asked for the inheritance of values,
alcoholic beverages in public essence and deeds of Songkran tradition, such
places in compliance as cleaning houses, temples, and public places;
with the Alcohol Control making merit and offering alms to monks; practicing
Act B.E. 2551 (2008) Dharma; listening to the sermons; pouring water
on Buddha images; and praying for the elderly.

- People are encouraged to wear a polite dress,
Thai fabrics, local fabrics, or traditional Thai
costumes to participate in various activities.

- Local artists are supported to organize cultural
activities, plays, and performances and local
traditional events to pass on the body of knowledge
on cultural heritage elements to children, youth,
general public to mutually inherit the tradition in
consideration of proper cultural practices.

30

cartoon edition

Project Consultants Director-General of the Department of Cultural Promotion
Deputy Director-General of the Department of Cultural Promotion
Mr. Chai Nakhonchai Secretary to the Department
Ms. Lipikar Kamlungchai Advisor to the Department of Cultural Promotion
Mr. Itsara Rewtragulpibul Advisor to the Department of Cultural Promotion
Mrs. Pimravee Watthanavarangkul Project Advisor
Ms. Atcharaporn Pongchavee
Mrs. Arunee Kongseree

Working Team Cultural Officer (Senior Professional Level)
Cultural Officer (Senior Professional Level)
Ms. Kittiporn Chaiboon Cultural Officer (Professional Level)
Mrs. Salakjit Srichai Cultural Officer (Professional Level)
Mr. Teerawit Boonrasri Cultural Officer (Professional Level)
Ms. Phinpapha Phanprom Cultural Officer (Practitioner Level)
Mr. Punyapuk Thaya Cultural Officer
Ms. Aunyanat Pookratan Intern
Mr. Paramajit Srichai
Ms. Rattanawat Traiprawat

Illustrators

Mr.Chakapun Hongsawat
Ms.Apiwan Induang

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